BA’s first Dreamliner arrives at Heathrow

The first of British Airways’ 24 Dreamliners has arrived at Heathrow Airport this week. BA is planning for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner to serve Toronto from the 1st September, and Newark from the 1st October.

The airline has become the first in Europe to operate both the 787 Dreamliner and the A380. The new ultra-green Dreamliners use 20 per cent less fuel that similarly sized aircraft and are expected to dramatically improve the passengers’ experience.

Chief executive officer of BA’s parent IAG, Willie Walsh, welcomed the new plane on Thursday stating it would “become a mainstay of the British Airways fleet over the next few years... This is the first of 24 that will arrive by 2017, and we have announced plans to convert further options for the aircraft into firm orders for delivery from 2017, including for the new larger 787-10 version."

British Airways has ordered 24 787s to arrive over the next four years, in addition to 12 A380s and six 777-300ERs. Flights onboard the new Dreamliner are now on sale, with a special return fare of £787 in World Traveller Plus to Toronto, Canada and flights to New York, Newark, for a limited time only.

"It was a real pleasure to fly the 787 home to Heathrow today – it's a joy to operate, and a really smooth ride,” said Mitch Preston, BA’s first 787 pilot that helped fly the aircraft to Heathrow yesterday. “It's exceptionally quiet and the cabin environment, combined with the service customers would expect from British Airways, will make for a great experience. I for one can't wait to welcome our customers on board."